Category: Featured

  • Surprisingly Low Adult Pouch Use: Study

    Surprisingly Low Adult Pouch Use: Study

    Despite a 641 percent increase in sales of nicotine pouches between 2019 and 2022, few U.S. adults use modern oral products, according to a nationally representative study conducted by the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

    “The low prevalence of nicotine pouch use in adults surprised us, given the rapid increase in sales,” said study co-author Adam Matthew Leventhal, a professor in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine and executive director of the USC Institute for addiction science, in a statement. “But it’s also possible that the sales are being diverted to adolescents, who were not represented in this survey.”

    The researchers surveyed nicotine pouch use in a nationally representative sample of 39,557 U.S. adults. They found that 2.9 percent of adults had ever used nicotine pouches, with 0.4 percent reporting current use. The majority of adults currently using pouches also currently smoke cigarettes. Additionally, 5.2 percent of those who attempted to quit smoking in the past year and had relapsed back to smoking reported using pouches to help with their cessation efforts.

    One question raised by the findings is whether adults who use nicotine pouches may be using them to “top off” nicotine in situations where they cannot smoke or use other tobacco products, Leventhal said, rather than as a way to quit smoking.

    Based on the study results, Leventhal estimates that of all U.S. adults who currently used nicotine pouches in 2022, about 35 percent had previously smoked cigarettes and 25 percent were currently smoking cigarettes. The remaining 40 percent of adult pouch consumers had never regularly smoked cigarettes and could be at risk for developing nicotine dependence.

    “In summary, we didn’t see a large population of adults using nicotine pouches, and fewer appear to be using them in a fashion that would potentially reduce their harm from smoking cigarettes,” Leventhal said.

  • Inter Scientific joins UKVIA

    Inter Scientific joins UKVIA

    Inter Scientific, an analytical testing and regulatory compliance firm, has joined the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA).

    “We are thrilled to join UKVIA as a full board member and contribute to the advancement of the vaping industry in the U.K.,” said Inter Scientific CEO David Lawson.

    “At Inter Scientific, we believe in the potential benefits to public that the vape industry holds. Our collaboration with UKVIA will enable us to work closely with industry leaders to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance are met to benefit consumers and public health.”

    Inter Scientific says it will actively engage in initiatives aligned with the UKVIA’s strategic objectives. “We will uphold the highest quality standards to demonstrate the industry’s responsibility, promote sector growth and its economic contribution,” the company wrote on its website.

    “Addressing misinformation about vaping will be a priority, aiming to correct misconceptions and highlight vaping as a beneficial tool for smoking cessation. Additionally, we aim to foster acceptance and support from the public health community, emphasizing vaping’s role in improving public health outcomes.”

  • Greenbutts to Produce at 22nd Century

    Greenbutts to Produce at 22nd Century

    Photo: Greenbutts

    22nd Century Group will provide Greenbutts with manufacturing space at its Mocksville, North Carolina, USA, NASCO manufacturing facility and with NASCO staff to operate the equipment for a new cigarette filter solution.

    Greenbutts offers a patented technology to replace single-use, plastic-based filters currently used in tobacco products with water-soluble, fully biodegradable filter solutions.

    “With an estimated 6 trillion manufactured every year, plastic-based cigarette butts are the most abundant form of plastic waste worldwide,” said 22nd Century Group chairman and CEO Larry Firestone in a statement.

    “Adding to that, an estimated 65 percent are littered, making them the world’s single most littered item. Unfortunately, the cellulose acetate plastics used in conventional cigarette butts takes decades to biodegrade, resulting in toxic waste that is harmful to ecosystems and wildlife, especially aquatic ecosystems. Greenbutts provides a simple, nontoxic, 100 percent biodegradable, plant-based and water-dispersing solution that is free of plastic and harmful chemicals while providing the same smoking experience as current filters.

    “Under this new multiyear agreement, 22nd Century Group will provide the manufacturing space and support needed to produce sample product to allow Greenbutts to pursue FDA approval, with the mutual goal thereafter of expanding to full commercial production.

    “We see this as an exciting new innovation and disruptor that could be used in both our VLN reduced-nicotine content cigarettes, the first and only combustible cigarette to receive an FDA harm reduction authorization, and in our CMO business for other conventional cigarette brands as well, where advanced discussions about potential use in cigarette products are already underway.”

  • Voters Want Reasonable Regulation: Survey

    Voters Want Reasonable Regulation: Survey

    Photo: Victor Moussa

    Equipped with evidence showing that e-cigarettes are a proven smoking cessation tool, a majority of American voters become opposed to efforts to eliminate flavored e-cigarettes, according to a poll carried out by Kellyanne Conway, who previously served as a counselor to former President Donald Trump.

    Conducted in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the survey showed that a majority of registered voters support fair and reasonable regulations that would preserve flavored e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool for adults while also safeguarding youth through marketing and advertising restrictions.

    “Americans continue to reject outright bans on popular, legal everyday consumables. Whether it’s social media apps, gas-powered cars, gas stoves, nicotine pouches, menthol cigarettes or flavored vaping products,” said Conway. “In this survey, we find voters favor common-sense reform over outright bans that put science over politics to reduce harm and protect vulnerable communities like youth.”

    The polling also shows an “information underload” among the American public as only 12 percent believe that vaping is better than smoking cigarettes while 75 percent believe vaping is as bad as or worse than smoking.

    In addition, the polling shows that voters question why their elected officials at the state and federal levels prioritize flavored e-cigarette bans and restrictions over more obvious and urgent concerns. Importantly, survey participants suggested that they are poised to reward those elected officials who reassess outright bans on flavored e-cigarettes and work toward science-based solutions that are less extreme and do not erode basic freedoms.

    The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) welcomed the poll results.

    “The latest polling conducted across Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin further reinforces what VTA has long maintained: When presented with factual information, American voters accept the importance of vaping as a harm reduction and smoking cessation tool and then question regulators’ constant derogation of flavored e-cigarettes,” said VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud in a statement.

    “Voters are not stupid; they have just been negligently misinformed by FDA leaders for years. Today’s poll reveals not only the importance of changing public perceptions about vaping but also highlights the political dangers of continuing down the path the FDA is on. It’s clear that voters across party lines are receptive to evidence-based approaches that balance adult access to smoking cessation tools with youth protection measures.”

  • ‘Vaping Innovation Just Getting Started’: Hon Lik

    ‘Vaping Innovation Just Getting Started’: Hon Lik

    Hon Lik (Photo: Imperial Tobacco)

    Hon Lik, the inventor of the modern e-cigarette, spoke with Imperial Brands about the vaping category, the challenges it faces and his hopes for the future of tobacco harm reduction.

    Lik said that he’s “satisfied and gratified to witness this revolution [vaping] that’s changing the lifestyle of millions of adult smokers around the world.”

    “I truly believe the innovation has only just started,” he said.

    “In the coming decades, with the help of long-term epidemiological data, I think it will be revealed that NGP [next-generation products] like vapes are clearly harm reduced compared to combustible tobacco—hopefully creating a pathway for tens of millions more smokers to leave cigarettes behind.”

    The full interview is available on Imperial Brands’ website.

  • Filtrona Launches Plastic-Free RYO Filter

    Filtrona Launches Plastic-Free RYO Filter

    Photo: Filtrona

    Filtrona has launched a plastic-free filter for the roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco market.

    According to Filtrona, the Rip-a-Tip filter marks an exciting material advancement in the RYO market, a category expected to reach a global value of $45 billion by 2033.

    “The launch of Rip-a-Tip supports our ESG goal to offer a complete portfolio of plastic-free products by 2050. It is a biodegradable RYO filter solution that meets growing consumer and regulatory demand for tobacco products grounded in sustainability,” said Filtrona CEO Robert Pye in a statement.

    “As the tobacco industry moves toward plastic reduction or elimination, accelerated by complex regulations on sustainability, the Rip-a-Tip ticks all the boxes while enhancing the consumer experience with our century-long filtration expertise,” said Pye.

    The Rip-a-Tip is designed with convenience and configurability in mind, with the option for RYO tobacco companies to customize the filter to the preferred diameter, pressure drop and choice of substrate, such as white or unbleached sustainable materials.

    Each Rip-a-Tip stick holds six individual filter tips measuring 14 mm in tip length. To provide more “real estate” for branding and product differentiation, the outer wrap of Rip-a-Tip can be customized to a preferred color or print.

    Filtrona also supplies the packaging box for the Rip-a-Tip filters in popular pack formats, including the flip top, cigarette, push and slide, and side push and slide. The design of the packaging box can also be customized.

  • North Carolina Tweaks Rules for Cigar Bars

    North Carolina Tweaks Rules for Cigar Bars

    A last-minute addition to a bill related to alcohol sales in North Carolina should expand the number of cigar bars in the state.

    Governor Roy Cooper signed S.B. 527, a bill related to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The bill includes text that critics say will make owning or operating a cigar bar in North Carolina much easier, according to media reports.

    While the state already allows for cigar bars—places that allow for cigar smoking and serve liquor—previously, those businesses were required to be the only entity located in standalone buildings. With the rules change, only if a cigar bar serves food must it be located in a standalone building.

    This will greatly increase the number of locations where a cigar bar could be located, likely meaning that many existing cigar stores may be eligible to become cigar bars.

    The headline change of the bill is that it allows for to-go cocktails.

  • UKVIA Applies for Approved Code Scheme

    UKVIA Applies for Approved Code Scheme

    Image: Chinnapong

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has initiated the application process to become part of the CTSI Approved Code Scheme (ACS).

    The ACS was created to give greater peace of mind and protection to consumers, and members of the scheme are recognized as trustworthy, reputable and having a proven commitment to “honest business” and “higher standards,” according to the UKVIA. Representatives of the UKVIA have already met with officials from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to discuss the significance of this accreditation and the path ahead.

    John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA, said: “As the most influential association in the sector, we have and continue to expect the highest levels of responsibility from our members and regularly lead on initiatives to drive accountability across the industry—including publishing guidelines around marketing and sustainability, the rolling out of our Be Vape Vigilant campaign and, most recently, the development of a retail and distributor licensing framework.

    “The vape sector is facing intense scrutiny, and the legitimate industry must show it is committed to only the highest standards. The ACS fits with this goal.”

  • VLN Relaunch in Korea

    VLN Relaunch in Korea

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    22nd Century Group announced a new agreement for full-scale commercial rollout of its VLN reduced-nicotine content cigarettes in South Korea. The new agreement with 22nd Century’s local partner, Nico-Tech Korea Inc., follows an initial test launch conducted in 2022 that identified product updates needed to align with local South Korean cigarette characteristics and appeal to the specific preferences of adult smokers in Korea.

    “South Korea is a unique market characterized by high smoking rates and a corresponding high commitment from its government to reduce the harms of smoking,” said Larry Firestone, chairman and CEO, in a statement. “Based on the pilot launch in 2022, we made key product modifications to better align with specific characteristics of combusted cigarettes preferred by South Korea’s adult smokers. We have made those changes and are now ready to fully enter the market with VLN export shipments to South Korea anticipated to begin later this year.

    “This relaunch with our original partner, Nico-Tech, demonstrates their commitment to smoking harm reduction and making VLN products a key part of the South Korean market through the diverse array of local retail channels they serve. We are working with Nico-Tech to plan a full launch event for the fall of 2024, including on-site support.”

    South Korea represents an estimated $1.6 billion tobacco market and was the first international market to commence sales of VLN reduced-nicotine content cigarettes. While tobacco product use has declined since signing into law the 1995 National Health Promotion Act and subsequent government actions, the prevalence of smoking remains high in certain segments of the South Korean population. It is estimated that one in three adult men in South Korea are smokers, and an estimated 6 percent of adult women smoke.

    Nico-Tech will be responsible for all local marketing activities to generate consumer demand and awareness in South Korea. The new agreement includes minimum order quantities to support the initial stocking and restocking needs of the planned South Korean distribution.

  • CTP Updates Compliance Website

    CTP Updates Compliance Website

    Credit: Postmodern Studio

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has announced an enhancement to its website, which will more easily present information about tobacco compliance check outcomes.

    The agency noted in a statement that the database is designed to be a resource for various audiences, including the general public, public health groups and the tobacco industry.

    The new database offers the ability to search for various compliance and enforcement outcomes among brick-and-mortar and online retailers, including warning letters, civil money penalties and no-tobacco-sale orders.

    Previously, this information lived in various locations across the FDA website, so the enhancement will allow site visitors to more easily find outcomes from the FDA’s compliance and enforcement efforts of retailers in one centralized location, according to reports.

    This centralized database will be updated monthly with the latest compliance check outcomes. “The enhancements to this database reflect CTP’s continued efforts to optimize transparency and communication with stakeholders,” the statement continued.